Train-dispatching system for railroads



May 14,/1929. s. N. WIGHT 1,113,496

TRAIN DISPATCHING SYSTEIM FOR RAILROADS Filed sept.` 21, 1927 ATTORNEY Patented May 14, 1929.V

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SEDGWICK N. WIGHT, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YYORK.. ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL RAILWAY l SIGNAL COMPANY, 0F ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

lTRAIN-IDISIEA'l'CIHINGr SYSTEM FOR RAILROADS.

Application filed September 2,1, 1927. Serial No. 221,038.

' This invention relates to train dispatching systems, and more particularly to means for electrically indicating the direction of trafiic set up as determined by the sequence of lever movements.

This invention is an improvement on the system disclosed in my prior application Ser. No. 120.423, iiled J'uly 3, 1926, and this application is a continuation-in-part ofV said prior application. The improvement is more particularly directed to the fea-tures shown in Figs. 11 to 15 inclusive of said prior application.

In accordance with the present invention it is proposed to use incandescent electric signal lamps having arrows suitably engraved in bulls eyes disposed in front of such lamps to indicate the direction of traffic set up, instead of having the direction arrows engraved on suitable movable signal plates as shown in the prior application above referred to. Y

Other objects, purposes and characteristic features of the invention will appear in part as the description thereof progresses and will iu part bek obvious from the accompanying drawings.

In describingr the invention in detail reference will be made to t-he single accompanying drawing, in which a portion of a miniature track diagram located in the dispatchers tower has been shown on which indicators controlled in accordance with the present invention have been shown, and 'of which sys tem a. portion of the outlying railway track "2 has been. shown to indicate how the levers in the tower may control the signals and switch machine of the system.

In said prior application the direction of traffic is setup on the main track of a passing siding and on a single track section of a signaling system of the absolute-permissiveliloek typo having signals 1,1A. 2, 2A, 3, 4, 5. 6.7.'7i`t, 8 and SA, in accordance with the sc- Quence in which the control relays located at wayside stat-ions adiacent the entrances to passing sidiugs are energized. For convenience, a portion of the A. P. B.,system has been shown conventionally in this application by illustrating the permissive signals 3, 4,5, and 6 and the stop and vstay signals 1, 1A.. 2. 2A. 7. 7A, S, and SA, together with the cffmtrol relays Z, Z and Z1, and with the signals shown conventionally identified by the same reference characters as the signals in the prior application.

Each of the levers L?, L and L1 is provided with contacts 10, 11 and 12, similarly distinguished by exponents, of which the contacts 12, 12 and 12l are connected to line wires 150, 15 and 151 respectively for energizing the control relay ZO, Z and Zlto the right or left hand position depending upon Whether these levers are moved to the right or left hand position. In this connection it may be pointed out that the letter B represents the positive side of the suitable source of current, the letter N represents the negative side of said source of current, which source .of current has a middle or neutral terminal connected to a common return Wire C at which the circuits for the control relays Z terminate.

It is considered expedient to briefly point out how the sequence of-lever movements, and in turn sequence of control relay-energizations, determine the direction of tratlic set up 1n the system of my prior application conventionally shown herein. The signal system shown in the drawings is-one of the absolute-permissive-block type used for single track railways in which the starting signals, such signals 2 and 2A lare so interlocked with the starting signals 7 and 7A through the tumble down circuit for the west bound intermediate signals 5 and 3 and the tumble down circuit for the jeast bound intermediate signals 4 andG, that if the signal 2 or 2A is cleared neitherl the signal 7 nor the signal 7 A can clear thereafter. Also, the signal 2A cannot clear when the signal 2 is cleared by reason of switch box or switch machine contacts associated with the track switch at which these signals are located, and in a similar Way only one of the two starting signals 7 and 7A can clear at one time depending on the position of the track switch adjacent to which out additional line wires, and depends for its selectivity on the sequence in which the levers in the tower are moved. It thus appears that it is desirable to be able to indicate in a convenient manner, as by a pilot light in the 4v.particular time.' By reason of this inter lock, which is very similar to the interlock Abetween the starting signals at opposite ends of the single track section O, if one of these signals l or S is cleared the other signal is prevented from clearing, so that it is likewise expedient to 'indicate in the towerthe sequence in which the levers lfor controlling relays at opposite ends of a passing` siding have been operated as far as clearing of signals on the main track of such passing siding is concerned, and in accordance with the present invention provision is mace for indicating such sequence of lever movement, that is, the sequence in which the levers have been moved for clearing signals permitting movement of: trallic over the main track of such passing siding, only is indicated. In other words7 if one or the other of the switches of the lpassing sid-ing SD is set for the siding, that is the levers associated. with the switch and' signals'for that end of the siding are moved to thelleft the sequence of lever movements is not indicated at all., although if it is desired to indicate the direction in which traflic may move over the siding, means may be provided for accomplisihng this end by obvious duplication of apparatus as' readily appears hereinafter.

As readily appears each of the leversL is at the end of a single track section and Vis also at the vend of a passing siding. and in order to evidence two different conditions two relays lit and have been provided for each lever, these relays manifests that i lever has been moved from its normal p 'on beffsre the next lever to the rient has hecnnioved from normal and the other of which manifests that the lever has been moved before the next lever to the left has been moved from normal. Further, since it is proposed to indicate the directionof traliic set up on the main track of is more readily explained in describing the operation of the system.

Ope'i'mon..-Let us assume that there is a west bound train standing on the main track of the passing siding S131 and that it is desiredV to have this west bound train move through the main track of the passing siding SD, taking'the main track in so doing, assuming also that there is no other train on this portion of the railroad. In order to clear the signals properly for the train movement just mentioned, it is necessary for the operator to move to the right the contacts of the three levers shown in the order L1, L and L?. The operator will therefore move the contacts of lever L1 toward the right to energize the control relay Z1 to the right as shown, permitting lclearing of the starting signal 7. The operator will next move the contacts of lever L toward the right energizing the control relay Z toward the right, but since the starting signal 2 by reason of its interlock with the signal 7 cannot clear, the signal l will clear. The operator next moves the contacts of lever L0 to the right, and in so doing energizes the control relay Z0 toward the right, the energi- Zation of which will permit the signal 7 atthe west end of siding SD toclear, assuming there is no train within` the next block ahead of this signal and that newest bound trailic has been setup in the single track section ahead of this signal 7. This energiZat-ion of the relay ZD does however not allow the ysignal 8 to clear by reason of its interlock with the signal l of the same passing siding which is already assuming the clear position. For a detailed description Vof the apparatus and control circuits used for interlocking these various signals, and-for controlling them in accordance Vwith the position of these cont-rol relays and the order in which they have been operated, and traffic conditions in advance of such signals, reference may be had to my prior application above mentioned.

Let us now see which of theindicators 20, 2l, Q2 and 23, are rendered active in response to the aforementioned Order of movement of the contacts of levers L1, L and L0 toward the right. The movement of the lever L1 in a clockwise direction closes an energizing circuit for the relay 1R] which may be traced as follows z-beginning atv the terminal B of a suitable battery, contact 121 of the lever L1. wires and 2G, winding of the relay llif. Wire 9.7, back contact 28 ofthe relay lR- to the `common return wire C connected to the midpoint of said battery. The energization of this relay lRl inV itself does not complete :in energizing circuit for anyone of the indicating lamps. Movement of the lever L in a clockwise direction, this being the second lever to be moved in the sequence of lever movements assumed, closes an energizing circuit for the indicating. lamp 2() whichlinav be traced as follows :-beginning at theterlll) minal B, Contact 12 of the lever L, wires 30 and 3l, front contact 32 of the relay lR-l, wire 33, signal lamp 20, wire 34, Contact 11 of the lever L to common return wire C connected to the midpoint of the battery. 'lhe illumination ot' the indicating lamp 20 thus indicates that west bound traiiic has been set up in the single track section O Movement of the lever L in a clockwise direction also completes an energizing circuit for the relays 2R as follows beginning at the terminal B oi said battery contact 10 of the lever L, wires 36 and 37, Winding of the relay 2R, wire 38, bacl: contact 39. of the relay 2R01() the common return wire C connected to the midpoint of said battery. In this connection it should be noted that movement of the lever L does not pick up the relay 1R be` cause its energizing circuit is broken at the back Contact 281 of the relay 1K1. In other words, the relay 1R and 1R1L are so interlocked that if one of these relays is energized the other one cannot be picked-up, and by reason ot this interlock itis possible to obtain an indication as to the sequence of lever movements of two adjacent levers equipped with these interloclted indicating relays.

Energization ofthe relay 2R in response to movement of the lever L, as just explained, will not render one of the indicators 22 or 23 active until the lever Lo is moved. Movement of the lever Lo in a clockwise direct-ion completes the following circuit for energizing the lamp 22 beginning at the terminal l5, contact 10 of the lever L", Wires 43 and a4, ifi-ont contact 45 of the relay 2R, wire 4G indicating lamp 22, wire 47, contact 11 of the lever Lo back to common return Wire C connected to the midpoint of said battery. For reasons already explained it should be noted-that the relay 2R is not picked up in response to the movement of lever contacts ot' the lever L0 to the right, because the energizing circuit oi this relay 2R@ is broken at the back Contact 39l of the relay 2R.

Having now explained how the indicating lamps 2O and 22 are caused to be illuminated if the levers are moved in the sequence L1, L and Lo in a clockwise direction letV us observe which indicating lamps are illuminated it these three levers are moved in a counterclockwise direction in the same sequence L1, L and L". ot the lever contact of the lever L1 toward the leftwill complete the same energizing circuit 'for t-he relay 1R1 as heretofore traced, except that the current is derived from-N instead of B, and the movement of the contact ot the lever L toward the left completes the same energizing circuit for the lamp 20 heretofore traced, except that the current iiows in the opposite direction, but this Will not change its indication. Movement of the contacts of lever L to the left, however, will not pick up the relay 2R, therefore the indi- It will be noted that 1novement cating lamp- 22 the energizing circuit of which includes the contact 45 ot' these relay 2R is not illuminated.

Putting it briefly the indicating lamp 2() or 2l is illuminated if the levers L and Ll assume either of their extreme positions, the particular lamp of these Vlamps 20 and 21 illuminated depending upon the sequence on which these levers have been moved.. Movement ofV the lever Lo in a sequence with respect to the lever L, the lamp 22 or 23 is energized if the contacts of bot-h of these levers have been moved to the right extreme position, the particular lamp energized' depending upon the sequence in which these levers have been moved, and neither of these lamps 22 or 23 are energized if the cont-acts of either of the levers have been moved t-oward the lett, or if both of these levers contacts have been moved toward the left.

Since the circuits for effecting illumina-l tion of the lamps indicatingv eastbound trafic are exactly the same as those for indicating west bound traffic, like circuits and like .contacts for east bound indication have been assigned the same reference characters as those for west bound indication but having a distinctive exponent one. l

Having thus shown and described one rather specific circuit arrangement for elecinvention nor has it been selected to indicate the scope ot' the invention and it is desired to be understood that various changes, modifications and additions may be made to adapt the invention to the particular train dispatching system to Which the invent-ion is to be applied, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or the idea of means underlying the same exceptas demanded by the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is :a

l. In a system of train dispatching; the combination with a plurality of levers in a train dispatchers oiiicc for controlling a plurality of signals in a manner ,so thatthe sequence of lever movement 'determines the directi on in which traflicishall move; and means for indicating the sequence in which the levers of said system have been moved comprising, contacts on each of two adjacent levers closed Y'when suchlever assumes its abnormal operated position,-a relay for each of said two adjacent levers, and a circuitl for each of said relays including the said contacts for said lever and a back c ontact of the other relay,

whereby the-.second operated lever cannot pick up its relay, and indicating means controlled by said relays.

2. In a system of train dispatching; the combination with a plurality of levers in a train dispatchers ojliice in which each lever is used for controlling a plurality ot' signals in a manner so that the sequence of lever movements determines the signals for a particular lever that shall clear;and means for indicating the sequence in which the levers y of Said systemv have been moved comprising, contacts on each ol two adjacent levers Aclosed when such lever assumes its abnormal operated position, a relay for each of said two adjacent levers, and a circuit for each of said relays including the said contacts of said lever and a back contact ol' the relay oi the adjacent lever whereby the second operated lever cannot pick up its relay, and indicating means controlled by said relays.

3. In a system of train dispatching; the combination with a plurality of levers in a train dispatchers office lior controlling a plurality of signals in a manner so that the sequence of lever movements determines the direction in which traffic shall move; and means for indicating the sequence in which the levers of said system have been moved from normal `comprising','contacts on each of two adjacent levers closed when such lever assumes its abnormal. operated position, a relay for each of said two adj acentv levers, and a circuit for each of said relays including the said contacts for said lever and a back contact of the other relay, whereby the second operated lever cannot pick up its relay, an indicator, and a circuit for rendering said indicator active including a front contact of the relay of one llever and contacts ot' the adjacent lever closed when such adjacent lever assumes the abnormal position. l

Il. In a system of train dispatching; the combination with a plurality oflevers in a ti'ain dispatchers office, in which each lever is used for controlling a plurality oit' signals in a manner so that the sequence of lever movements determines the signals for a parti'cular lever that shall clear; and means for indicating the sequence in which the levers of said system have been moved 'rom nor- 'mal comprising, contacts on each of two adjacent levers closed when 'such leverassumes its abnormal operation position, a relay for each of said two adjacent levers, and a circuit for each otsaidv relays including` the said contacts for the corresponding lever and a back contact of the relay of the adjacent` lever, whereby the second operated lever cannot pick up its relay, an indicator, and a circuit For rendering said indicator active including afront contact oi the relay of one le- V'ver land contacts of the adjacent lever closed when such adjacent lever assumes the abnormal position. i

'5, In a system er train dispatehlng; ,the

'rection in which traiiic shall move;

combination with a plurality of levers in a train dispatchers oiiice for controlling a plurality of signals in a manner so that Ythe sequence of lever movements determinesthe direction in which tratic shall move; and means for indicating the sequence in which the levers of said system have been moved comprising.l contacts on each of two adjacent levers closed when suoli lever assumes its abnormal operated position, a relay for each of said two adjacent levers, and a Circuit for each oi said relays including the contacts for the corresponding lever and a back Contact of the relay of the adjacent lever, whereby the second operated lever ot two adjacent levers cannot pick up its relay, an indicator foreach of two adjacent levers for indicating which ol' said two levers has been moved vtrom its normal position first, a circuit for each ot said indicators each including contacts of its associated lever closed when such lever is in itsv abnormal position and a back contact of the relay of the adjacent lever.

(i. ln a system of train dispatching; the combination with a plurality of levers in a traindispatchers oihce in which each lever is used for controlling a plurality orF signals in a manner so that the sequence ofrlever movement determines the. signals for a particular lever that shall be permitted to Clear; and means for indicating the sequence in which .the levers of said system have been moved comprising, contacts on each of two adjacent levers closed when such lever assiimes its abnormal operated position, a relay for. each of said two adjacent levers, and a circuit for each of said relays including the said contacts for said lever and a back contact of the relay; of the adjacent lever, whereby the second operated lever cannot piek np its relay, an indicator for each of two adjacent levers for indicating which of said two levers has been moved from its normal posi tion first, a circnit :tor each of said indicators each including contacts'of its associated lever closed when such lever is in its abnormal position and a back contact of the relayoil the adjacent lever.

7. ln a system of train dispatching; the combination with a plurality of levers in a train dispatcherls oiiice forcontrolling a plurality of signals in a manner vso that the sequence of lever movement determines the di and means for indicating the sequence in which the levers of said system have been moved comprising, contactsr on each of two adjacent levers closed when such lever assumes one particular extreme operated position, a relay for each of said two adjacent levers, and a circuit for each of said relays including the said contacts for said lever and a back contact of the relay of the other lever, whereby the second operated lever cannot piel; up its relay unless the first .operated lever was operated into the other eXtreme position, an indicator` for each of two adjacent levers for indicating which of said two levers has irst been moved to a particular eXtreme position, a circuit for each of said indicators each including contacts of its associated lever closed when such lever assumes a particular abnormal position and a back contact of the relay of the adjacent lever.

8. ln a system of train dispatching; the combination with a plurality ot levers in a train dispatcher-s oiiice in which each lever 1s used for controlling a plurality of'signals in a manner so that the sequence o lever movements determines the signals for a particular lever that shall be permitted to clear; and means for indicating the sequence in which the levers of said system have been moved comprising, contacts on each of two adjacent levers closed when such lever assumes one extreme operated position, a relay for each'ot said two adjacent levers, and a circuit for each of said relays including the said contact for said lever and a back contact of the other relay, whereby. the second operated lever cannot pick up its relay unless the first operated lever was operated into the other eXtreme position, an indicator for each of two adjacent levers for indicating which of said two levers has first been moved to a particular extreme position, a circuit for each of said indicators each including contacts of itsassociated lever closed when such lever assumes aparticular extreme position and a back contact of the relay of the adjacent lever.

9. In apparatus for indicating the sequence in which levers of a train dispatching machine have been operated, the combination with two adjacent levers one controlling signals at one end of a stretch of track and the other controlling signals at the other end 0f a stretch of track, of two relays one of which f if energized signifies that the levers have been operated in a certain sequence and the other of which if energized signiies that the levers have been operated in a different sequence, a circuit for one of said relays including a normally open contact of one of said levers and a back contact of the other relay, and a circuit for the other relay including a normally open contact of the other lever and a back contact of said one relay.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

sEDGwIoK N. WIGHT. 

